He looks at me, guiltily, then looks down at his phone. ‘I’m under a lot of pressure.’
‘I know,’ I say and fill his wine glass. ‘When you make partner and we’re in our new home, you’ll feel so different.’
‘Not this again, please,’ he says. I put my hand on his leg. He stares at it like it’s unprofessional conduct. I don’t know quite why, given he’s being such a shit, but I want him now.
‘Let’s make love,’ I suggest, as it’s not escaped my notice that I’m at my most fertile this week.
‘What for?’
‘Do I need to spell it out?’ I say.
‘Let me do it for you,’ he says. ‘N. O.’
To-do list:
Go for long run
Prepare for Adams activity day
Lunchtime Pilates with Sophie
Research Jason Mercer
Bury body
Chapter19Burial
Monday, 18 November
I arrive at Tor’s in the Porsche, as it’s getting dark. Given the increased stakes, I’ve bought burner phones for me and Cait. I call Cait, hoping she’s not heard about the police search, as she’d freak out. I’ve done an online search for Mercer but there’s about a million results, and I couldn’t find a picture matching him anywhere.
‘Hi, I’m at the front. Just saw the concrete lorry leave. Anyone else around?’
‘Not as far as I know,’ she says. ‘Not done this kind of thing before.’
‘No, me neither,’ I say.
‘True, but I’ve also not killed a man. You did.’
‘Let’s not split hairs – we’re both involved now, so can you please stay calm,’ I say.
‘If you stop trying to make me bury someone, I could,’ she says.
‘I’m doing this for both of us. To keep you and your girls safe.’
‘You’re just covering your own bottom,’ she says.
‘I’ve texted you something,’ I say. ‘You may find images easier to understand.’
There is a long pause, after which Cait says, ‘I don’t know what the paw prints mean.’
‘I couldn’t find a fingerprint emoji,’ I say.
‘Where is the knife, by the way?’
‘It’s with the body,’ I say, lying through my teeth, as I’ve kept the knife hidden in the car, should I need it. ‘So we’re actually burying evidence of your involvement, thank you very much. Now, come around and help me,’ I say and end the call.
I get the car into position and Cait appears with the wheelbarrow. I see that she is wearing a large white T-shirt with the words ‘Not an Accomplice’ hand-painted across the front.
